The Republic of Fiji Military Force Engineering Unit was actively involved in a Satellite Youth Training Scheme organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
According to The Fiji Times article published on September 1, 1998, titled ‘The Army Provides Many Different Jobs’, soldiers went out to provinces and trained youths in discipline, construction work, and even planting.
According to training officer Major Wame Waqanivavalagi, the youths were in camp for three years and trained by engineers in Sigatoka.
The youths received a certificate of completion upon completion of the training period.
“Anyone coming out of the youth camp can build a house, plant, and is given tools, so when they go back to their province, they are qualified to do the work,” Major Waqanivavalagi said.
A qualified cook in the army gets their certificate of qualification from Australia or New Zealand.
Cooks, waiters, and kitchen hands worked in the Logistic Supply Unit within the force.
“They are professional up here. Most hotels are just waiting for these people to leave the army to grab them. In fact, former cooks of the army have gone to work in hotels,” he said.
When different units conducted their core training for new recruits, they offered them the opportunity to participate in special promotional courses at the Fiji National Training Centre, the Fiji Institute of Technology, and the University of the South Pacific.
The new recruits could also be part of a program agreement between Fiji and Australia, or New Zealand, under which they underwent specialist training for their respective units.
Peacekeeping missions to Sinai, Lebanon, Bougainville, or Kuwait were a government commitment of the Fiji army.
It was a contribution by the different units of the force, where the soldiers also indirectly exposed Fiji to the world.
“Our seniority in the world depended on our contribution to world policing.”
